Bose also said that there have been fewer clashes between CPM and its allies RSP and Forward Bloc.

“Overall, polling has been peaceful, barring some stray incidents. I congratulate the people of Bengal for their mass participation,” said Bose.

He added, “We are very happy that the Left Front unity remained intact. Our appeal for peace and unity has percolated from the top leaders to the grassroot level of the cadres. There has been no major incident of violence in districts where we were pitted against each other.” The recent Dinhata incident had no effect on the poll process, Bose claimed.

The CPM state secretary said that 60 to 64 per cent turnout of voters was satisfactory. He, however, attacked Opposition parties, including Congress, for booth-capturing and violence against CPM supporters.

“In Domkol, Raninanagar and Jalangi in Murshidabad district, Congress supporters captured polling booths and engaged in large-scale violence and rigging. Four of our supporters died in Domkol and one in Jalangi. However, out of 102 blocks in the seven districts, polling was peaceful in 97 blocks,” said Bose.